|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Jesus Where'er Thy People Meet"1 (Lyrics) |
John 4:23a – Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. (NIV)
My granddaughters always have a project in mind for me when I go up to the house to care for them. Recently, it was making masks, fashioned after their latest cartoon heroes. Once the masks had been made, we each had to wear one and pretend that we were that hero.
This latest project of theirs brought to mind how so often we Christians wear masks when we worship God in church, as well as in times of prayer. Too often, we want to impress Him with how good we are, so much better than just ordinary, sinful, falling-short-of-the-mark human beings.
Consequently, we put on our brightest smile and best attitude when we are among our church-going peers. After all, we don't want anyone to think that perhaps we have problems or sorrows or doubts. When we pray, we use a certain language; we seek to be correct in the way that we address God, even using formulas for the right way to pray. Yet, God sees through it all. He sees us just as we are — our doubts, our fears, our heartaches. He knows that we are fumbling with what to say and how to say it in as correct a way as possible so that He will hear and answer. He longs for us to throw aside our masks, to be honest with Him, and to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
He wants us to seek to know Him, so that our true knowledge of Him — Who is truth — will allow us to remove our masks and worship Him from our hearts: simply, honestly, humbly, basking in His love and compassion for who we truly are. He knows that we are a fallen people who have been restored through the power of the blood of the Lamb; a people grateful for what He has done for us; a people who are not afraid to come to Him, for we know we are unconditionally loved just as we are.
In light of this, are we ready to cast aside any mask for worship that we may be donning and choose instead to worship the Lord from our hearts, in Spirit and in truth, just as we are? For this is right and pleasing to Him Who loved us, even unto death.
Prayer: Father God, forgive us for not trusting in Your love, and for trying, like Adam and Eve, to hide from You. Help us to come to the point that we can come to You just as we are, warts and all. Motivate us to know You more deeply through studying and through Your Holy Spirit, understanding Who You are through the power of Your Word, that we might truly, honestly, simply, and humbly worship You in Spirit and in truth. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thanks Lynne. I always find inspiration from your devotionals.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
So good Lynne! Isn’t it about time we lost our masks? Thanks for writing this meaningful piece.
Hi Lynne:
I think this is your best one yet!
The truth will set us free! Amen.
Ain’t that the truth!
Thanks for your focus – it’s easy to fall into that trap.
Praying about you and your daughter.
So true and a great reminder for us all, Lynne! Your grandchildren are so fortunate to have you, sounds like you have a lot of fun together. Blessings to you all!
Thanks Lynne. Your devotionals touch on the daily times in our lives, are so inspiring and encouraging in a quiet, calming manner. Again, many thanks. Blessings.
Thanks again, Lynne. Honesty with everyone, including the LORD is always the best policy.
We hope that you are enjoying your summer.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for your inspiring, beautifully written devotional! I feel truly blessed by it!
Blessings, Joy, Laughter.
Thank you, Lynne, for another applicable illustration and prayer to help us in the truth of our walk with God. We believers have interesting notions about how God sees us. Perhaps we don’t want our flaws to show when we pray to holy God. But the Father knows us and accepts us regardless when we come to Him through His son. This devotional is thought-provoking and change making. Keep writing.
Hello, Lynne. Your devotional today really hit a chord for me, cause I always feel that if I let anyone know how I really feel, or how bad I hurt, that I would just sound like a complainer. So yes, I do put on a mask, even for family, but I try to take it off when I talk or whisper or even yell at God.
Thank you and may God bless you and yours.
Many thanks Lynne for another of your very meaningful and mindful devotionals. Yes, we are so fortunate that our loving Lord is ready to receive us no matter what way we come to Him. He does not demand fancy descriptive words in our prayers and is ever ready to hear from us at all times. Today’s Bible verse of 2 Corinthians 9:8 really reassures us of His readiness to hear our prayers. Blessings for these special writings you contribute Lynne and enjoy another special time with your granddaughters.
I love this, Lynne. I threw away my mask many years ago, and am very open with my life, good and not so good. I talk to the Lord several times a day with my thanks and praise, ???, complaints, etc., and can’t hide anything from Him, for sure. As for my Church family and many others, they pretty well know me, and now surrounding me with so much love and prayers as I am healing from a fall.
God bless you and make you a BLESSING BEYOND!!!
(Ca.)
Hi Lynne,
How blessed you are to have those grandchildren so close. When we moved to our ranch 22 years ago, it was difficult for me because all our children and grandchildren were in the city. The positive side of the move is that for six days every summer all the grandchildren came at one time for Camp Cousins. We were exhausted when the week was over, but as a result all those kids have bonded with this place and I like to think with each other…nothing like no parents around, room to run without worrying about cars in the street, or “stranger danger.” They now love to come to the ranch.
AND, additionally, thank you once more for writing a meaningful devotional.
Good morning, Lynne,
Hopefully, you are enjoying a lovely visit with your sister and the girls.
I think that some of us don’t try to hide our real selves from God, but maybe from other Christians. We know that God doesn’t judge us, as we judge others in our not perfect selves. I think that we feel judged by others and don’t realize that if we are brave enough to show others our true selves and struggles and what we face, then others will also understand that God does not expect us to be perfect. They will then find it possible to move forward in their faith and understanding.
Okay, I am curious. What hero were you portraying with your granddaughters? I think that playing with our grandchildren keeps us young. My granddaughter is a young adult so those days are behind me, and she is the only one that I am going to have. I loved those days even though it made me tired. I am blessed that I did get that chance to know her well.
Thank you for sharing with us an every day example which helps us examine our faith. Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne
Yes, even with our masks on we are still loved. Thank you for your encouraging words yesterday.
Good afternoon Lynne. Another great message.
Masks, what a waste of time. Took me a long time to master that one. But as you say, he sees right through our masks.
Blessings dear sister in Christ.